Diana and the nymphs are seen in the centre foreground and on the left is Actaeon in the form of a stag, head back with antlers to the right, pursued by his hounds. A relief of Leda and the Swan is on the architectural fragment, lower left. A small female figure, perhaps Callisto attempting to hide, is clinging to the branch in the water to the right. Diana wears the crescent moon on her head to symbolise her role as moon-goddess. In the distance are classical ruins and in the middle ground a block-like cliff or ruin, with a shadow of trees falling upon it.

John Rushout, 2nd Lord Northwick (1769-1859), Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham; sold Phillips at Thirlestaine House, 12 August 1859 (1196 Campagna di Roma with the Story of Diana and Actaeon), bt J. Daubeney; the Revd Benjamin Gibbons, Cheltenham; c.1925 Major W.H.S. Alston, London; with Leggatt; with Buttery; the Hon. Hereward Watlington (1902-89), Woodside, Devon; bequeathed to the Government of Bermuda 1989; on loan to the Bermuda National Gallery

Signature/inscription

Techniques and materials

Collectors' marks

Verso inscriptions

Mount inscriptions

Labels

Subject

Diana was bathing with three of her maidens when she noticed the hunter Actaeon spying on them from behind the trees. Outraged, the goddess of chastity and hunting turned him into a stag and his own hounds tore him to pieces.

As noted by Constable, the present work differs slightly from P63, Private Collection, England, in the shapes of the trees and ruined castle and in the foliage, which is more elaborate, suggesting a later date.